Hickory Mayoral Candidate Debate

Lenoir-Rhyne University is hosting a debate for the six mayoral candidates vying for the job. 

Incumbent Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright and his challengers including Jeff Brittain, Candice Harold, Dr. Joseph Inglefield, Erinie Masche, and Terry Revels have been invited to the debate.

"this will serve as a platform for the candidates to reach community members in a broad, open way that seeks to meet the needs of all constituencies in Hickory, regardless of affluence and position.  Our goal is to do our part to help curb voter apathy by making candidates more approachable and responsive to the individual and collective needs of the area,"  said LR's Director of Speech and Debate, Cade Hamilton who will moderate the debate.  "If we can't get city elections right, how can we expect to get it right at the federal level?" 

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the Lenoir-Rhyne Team are organizing the event.  Each candidate will have an opportunity to convey their vision for city leadership and how they would work with local businesses and constituents to improve the quality of life for the Hickory community.

The candidates will begin by making opening statements, then they'll field questions from the moderators.  The candidates will also be allowed to exchange with each other before taking questions from the audience.  The debate is expected to last about an hour.